Tuesday, December 25, 2012

How to Write an MLA Paper

The link between Islamic art and religion has been brought out clearly
in the 3-part DVD series The Glories of Islamic Art. The movie attempts
to expound how Islamic movements led major players such as Sinian in
the field of art. In addition, it develops a memorable aesthetic
heritage that has withstood the test of time and events. The stunning
film also depicts major milestones that have been achieved through the
instrument of Islamic faith. Although faith and art have been
interlinked throughout the various themes in the movie, it is profound
to note that the two aspects are quite distinct to some extent. Some of
the groundbreaking themes explored in the 3-part DVD series include
Ottomans of Istanbul, Sunni Mamluks of Cairo, Shi'ite Fatimids and
Umayyads of Damascus. They all existed between the 9th and 16th
centuries. The Citadel of Cairo was also an outstanding feature of
Islamic art during this period of time.

A wide array of audience
is capable of simulating the contents of the 3-part DVD series due to
the compelling storytelling approach and unsurpassed beauty adopted
throughout the film. In addition, Christianity, Judaism and Islam have
been correlated in the movie by Akbar Ahmed in terms of shared values
and trust. From the movie, it is evident that between 1250 and 1517,
both Syria and Egypt were ruled by the Mamluks before the Ottomans
overpowered them due to military might (Yalman 96). Nonetheless, the
Islamic society of Egypt was still dominated by the Mamluks even after
being overthrown by the Ottomans. Some historical records also indicate
that their presence in Egypt was eminent as early as the 9th century.
During their rule, they managed to secure Egypt and Syria by crashing
down the influence of both the Mongols and Kingdoms of Outremer. By the
onset of the middle Ages, the Mamluks had already converted Cairo into a
pure city of Islamic influence. In course of the same period of time,
scholarship, architecture, craftsmanship and unlettered
soldier-stateman’s rule flourished. It is against this backdrop that
this paper takes an incisive look at the Islamic art that was developed
by the Mamluks of Cairo with cross reference to the movie The Glories of
Islamic Art.
Between 1250 and 1260, the kingdom of Ayyubid was
outwitted in Syria and Egypt due to the dominance of Mamluk Sultanate.
By this time, slave trade was the main source of revenue and manpower
for the Ayyubid sultans. The governing class also incorporated some
slaves who were deemed to be fit enough to lead. Hence, family
succession was not the only political leadership system in place. The
Ayyubid strongholds that had been left around Mediterranean region were
finally inherited by the Mamluks. Due to the strong influence of the
latter, a very powerful Islamic empire was created. This empire embraced
both Islamic art and religious fundamentalism in extending its
dominance beyond Egypt. For instance, major urban establishments such as
Medina and Mecca were influenced by the Mamluks’ rule in Cairo, Egypt.
It is also worth to mention that the Islamic world benefited a lot from
the artistic work, cultural and economic activities that were centrally
located in Cairo as the capital of Mamluk (Atil 102).
The
different lines of dynasties during the Mamluk’s rule in Cairo
necessitated the division of Mamluk’s history into two distinct eras.
The first era lasted between 1250 and 1382 and was dominated by Bahri
Mamluks. This group of Mamluk had originated from the southern parts of
Russia. The second historical era of the Mamluks was ruled by the Burji
Mamluks. It lasted between 1382 and 1517. They are also believed to
have originated from the Caucasian Circassian race.
The Islamic Art among the Bahri Mamluks
To begin with, it is vital to mention that the whole reign of Mamluk
period was defined by the Islamic art and architecture that were
developed by Bahri Mamluks. Moreover, the generous patronage by the
Mamluks was mainly boosted by spices and silk since they were major
items of exchange during the east-west trade. Hence, intense Islamic
art and architectural activities that developed in spite of the internal
strife that was eminent during that time. The Ayyubids masterminded
most of the artistic techniques based on Islamic architecture from
various parts of the world (Atil 107).
The new form of Islamic
art was also given higher momentum by refugees who were migrating from
the west and east. Some of the specialized art activities that were
embraced included textiles, woodwork, inlaid metal work, gilded and
enameled glass.
Nonetheless, the Cairo Citadel can be
considered as one of the most profound Islamic art and architecture ever
constructed during the reign of Mamluk as depicted in the 3-part DVD
series. It is located at the middle of Cairo City in Egypt at Mokattam
Hill. The choice of this location for the construction of this Islamic
fortification was largely influenced by the strategic view of Cairo
coupled with fresh breeze blowing from the Mediterranean Sea. It is
currently being used as mosque and museum due to its pre-historic
nature.
The Ayyubid ruler by the name Salah-al-Din fortified this
Islamic art of Cairo before 1183 CE so that it could be safe from the
attacks launched by Crusaders. The Islamic art also had a lot of
significance to the religion bearing in mind that it signified Islamic
presence and authority in Cairo. As a result, both Fustat and Cairo were
surrounded by a wall after Fatimid Caliphate was defeated. The wall was
supposed to house the Citadel. It is also interesting to note that the
Egyptian government used the Citadel of Cairo as its centre of
administration until the nineteenth century. The choice of this Islamic
art was mainly attributed by its secure nature and effectiveness to
offer protection against external aggression. According to the synopsis
of the 3-part DVD series, the Citadel was used by the Egyptian
government up to 1860s when the Abdin Palace was constructed and adopted
as the new administrative centre by Khedive Ismail who was the then
ruler of Egypt.
Even after the death of Saladin, the wall that he
had commissioned some years back was still under construction. The wall
was still being constructed in 1238 although by 1184, the Citadel had
already been accomplished. It was given more importance because it was
an Islamic art that signified both the significance and dominance of
that religion. According to the DVD series, it is definite that the
Citadel was highly valued.
The Well of Joseph supplied the much
needed plenty of water to the Citadel of Cairo. The well was about 280
feet in depth. It is still an outstanding feature at the Citadel. The
inner parts of the well are wounded by 300 stairs in form of spiral
constructions in order to facilitate easy access. This also explains why
it has been referred to as the Well of the Spiral (Ades 225).
There were myriads of aqueducts positioned on the ground surface that
assisted in supplying water to the Citadel. Adequate water supply to
the Citadel was later improved during the reign of Nassir who channeled
much of the water needed from the River Nile. However, the addition of
mosque to the Citadel was the major contribution of Nassir. The Ayyubid
structure that was built by Nassir was later converted into a mosque.
By 1335, the structure had been modified several times to serve various
functions (Ades 225). For instance, the southern enclosure of the
structure was added by Nassir. Besides, the courtyard and harem
comprised the residential area of the Citadel were all added during the
reign of Nassir. However, the House of Gold and the Hall of Justice were
constructed inside the Citadel by the Baybars even before Nassir made
further modifications to the structure.
The 19th century events
that surrounded the Citadel are quite fascinating. For example, its
summit was perched with the 1848 Mosque of Muhammad Ali. The latter
explains the reason why it is sometimes referred to as the Muhammad Ali
Citadel. Although the Mosque of Muhammad Ali was named after his second
son, the naming was largely meant to eliminate all the Mamluk’s dynasty
symbols.
The significance of Muhammad Ali during his reign is an
important feature that has adorned the Citadel. The present day Citadel
still offers a vivid reminder of the Ottoman architecture that was
extensively used to construct the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Needless to
say, the 19th century period witnessed the mosque as the largest
structure within the Citadel especially after some sections of the
Mamluk palace were destroyed (Ades 225). As a matter of fact, replacing
the Mamluk palace with the mosque was a definite attempt to do away
with the memories of past detested rulers. Moreover, the mosque of
Muhammad Ali was adopted as the official mosque for the state, taking
the place of the mosque of al-Nassir (Ades 225).
The Citadel also
accommodates two other remarkable mosques. Since the Bahri Mamluk’s
period, the Al-Nasir Muhammad Qala'un Mosque has been operational.
Besides, the Mosque of Suleyman Pasha was also built inside the Citadel
using the architectural standards borrowed from the Ottoman Empire.